Cigarette perforating device

ABSTRACT

A device for perforating the paper tube or wrapping of a cigarette wherein the device has a perforating member for forming a hole in the paper tube, the member being provided with at least one recessed portion which cooperates with the hole to present a substantially unobstructed airflow passage into the cigarette for permitting air to mix with smoke flowing therethrough when the device is used to hold the cigarette after perforating the same.

United States Patent 1191 Creamer 1 1 CIGARETTE PERFORATING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Adelene B. Creamer, 137 Palmer Avenue, Mountain View, Calif. 94040 221 Filed: Dec. 28, 1970 211 App]. N0.I 101,711

[52] US. Cl 131/258, 131/259, 131/254, 131/189 [51] Int. Cl. A24f 13/22 [58] Field of Search 131/170, 258, 259, 131/189, 254

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,399,681 9/1968 Lodi 131/189 2,583,235 1/1952 Rybak, Sr. 131/189 X 2,231,298 2/1941 Schlitz 131/189 1,523,255 1/1925 Buennemann 131/258 July 3, 1973 85,626 l/1869 Waite 131/259 x 710,657 10/1902 Baumeister et 31.... 131/253 2,832,354 4/1958 M11161 131/254 258,919 6/1882 Hayden 131/254 Primary Examiner-Joseph S. Reich Attorney-Townsend & Townsend 5 7 ABSTRACT A device for perforating the paper tube or wrapping of a cigarette wherein the device has a perforating member for forming a hole in the paper tube, the member being provided with at least one recessed portion which cooperates with the hole to present a substantially unobstructed airflow passage into the cigarette for permitting air to mix with smoke flowing therethrough when the device is used to hold the cigarette after perforating the same.

9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDJuL3 ms 3,742,963 sum 1 Bf-2 F IG 2 B 34 $36 I I FIG 1A DELENE $722232 BY M ATTORNEYS PATENIEDJUL3 um same-m2 FIG 5A INVENTOR. ADELENE B. CREAMER CIGARETTE PERFORATING DEVICE This invention relates to improvements in smoking accessories and, more particularly, to a device for perforating the paper wrapping of a cigarette to form an air hole therein.

It is well-known to perforate the paper tube or wrapping of a cigarette to form an air hole in the cigarette so that less smoke is drawn into the mouth while the cigarette is being smoked. The smoker does not experience the same sensation when smoking a perforated cigarette as he does when smoking one that is not perforated. Thus, perforating a cigarette is usually done to try to change smoking habits as well as to reduce the amount of tar and nicotine drawn into the mouth.

The cigarette perforating devices of the prior art are generally complex in construction and require that a cigarette to be perforated be placed in the device before the cigarette is lit. After being perforated, the cigarette is removed from the device and then lit and smoked in the usual manner. Moreover,'such conventional devices are not suitable for use in holding the cigarette while it is being smoked.

The present invention is directed to an improved cigarette perforator which is simple in construction, is lightweight and small enough to easily fit into a pocket or a purse, and is constructed so that it can remain coupled to a cigarette to support the same as the cigarette is being smoked. To this end, the invention has means for forming an air hole in the paper wrapping or tube of a cigarette and is provided with recess means which defines an unobstructed airflow passage into the cigarette through the hole formed in the paper wrapping. The cigarette can thus remain impaled on the device and the latter can then be held between the fingers so that the smoker need not touch the cigarette itself while the cigarette is being smoked. The device of this invention is also constructed to permit holes of different sizes to be formed in a cigarette depending upon the depth to which the device penetrates a cigarette. The recess means continues to define an unobstructed airflow passage notwithstanding variations in the hole size. The device can be of any one of a number of different configurations with each configuration being adapted to easily perforate a cigarette as well as to support the same while the cigarette is being smoked. The device can also be provided with indicator marks for use in gauging the depth to which the device penetrates a cigarette.

The primary object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an improved cigarette perforating device which is simple in construction and can be used to support a cigarette while providing a substantially unobstructed airflow passage into the cigarette as the same is being smoked.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type described wherein the device has recess means thereon which form the airflow passage into a cigarette when the device penetrates the cigarette and supports the same when the device is held between the fingers.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of the aforesaid character which is used to perforate the paper wrapping of a cigarette either before or after the cigarette is lit to simplify the perforating of the cigarette as well as to place the device at a location at which the cigarette can be impaled on and supported by the device to eliminate having to support the same between the fingers.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings for illustrations of several embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a partial side elevational view of one embodiment of the cigarette perforating device, showing the way it penetrates a cigarette;

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along line lA-lA of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the device;

FIG. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view showing the device penetrating a cigarette;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28-28 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a partial end elevational view of a third embodiment of the device having a cigarette penetrating means in an inoperative position;

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of line 3A-3A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is a partial view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the device as it penetrates a cigarette;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the device, showing the way it penetrates a cigarette shown in cross section;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing a fifth embodiment of the device; and

FIG. 5A is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing an alternate form thereof.

The first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A and is denoted by the numeral 10. Device 10 has a cigarette perforating member 12 attached to a handle 14 provided with an enlargement 16 at its outer end. Member 12 has a pointed end for piercing the paper tube or wrapping 18 of a cigarette 20 to form a hole 22 therein whereby air can flow into the tube through the hole as the smoker draws on the cigarette. Device 10 is also suitable for use in holding the cigarette while the same is being smoked. The smoker merely grasps handle 14 between the fingers and does not have to touch the cigarette itself.

Member 12 has a frame-like construction defined by a first pair of small, relatively convergent, rod-like segments 24 and 26 and a second pair of relatively convergent, rod-like segments 28 and 30. The segments are arranged, for purposes of illustration, in a configuration which is substantially diamond-shaped to present a central opening or recess 32 which provides an airflow passage in communication with hole 22 to the interior of the cigarette as the smoker draws on the cigarette itself. Each of segments 24 and 26 has a cross section of the type shown in FIG. IA. To this end, each such segment has a relatively thin, elliptical cross section defining a pair of opposed, longitudinal edges 34 and 36, at least edge 36 being relatively sharp. Segments 24 and 26 converge to a sharp tip 38 to which edges 34 and 36 of such segments converge, the sharpness of tip 38 being sufficient to facilitate the piercing of the cigarette.

Device 10 is constructed to permit holes of different sizes to be formed in cigarettes. This feature is achieved by virtue of the diamond-shaped configuration of member 12. Thus, the smoker can select a desired hole size by forcing member 12 into a cigarette to a predetermined depth. Segments 24' and 26 have a number of 3 spaced, transverse index marks to indicate the depth to which the device has penetrated a cigarette.

In use device is held by handle 14 and forced into the side of a cigarette either before or after the cigarette is lit. Preferably, it is inserted after the cigarette is lit because it is oftentimes difficult to light a cigarette when it has a hole in its paper wrapping.

When member 12 penetrates the paper wrapping, hole 22 is formed inasmuch as the paper shreds or portions 42 which previously covered the region of the hole are forced inwardly by member 12. The device can penetrate the cigarette to any desired depth and this depth can be gauged by the index marks 40 on segments 24 and 26. Handle 14 projects outwardly from the cigarette so that the device can be held between the fingers as a cigarette is impaled on member 12.

When the device has penetrated a cigarette as shown in FIG. 1, recess 32, by extending partially out of the cigarette, presents a substantially unobstructed path through hole 22 to the interior of paper tube 18 so that when the smoker draws on the cigarette, air is drawn into opening 22 as smoke is drawn through the cigarette from the burning end thereof. The path of the air flowing into the cigarette through hole 22 and recess 32 is denoted by the arrow 46. Air drawn into the cigarette through hole 22 will reduce the amount of smoke drawn into the mouth of the smoker and decrease the health hazards to the smoker as well as change the sensation of smoking, thereby tending to cause a change in the smoking habits of the smoker.

As the use of device 10 increases, the device can be caused to penetrate cigarettes to greater depths so that the size of hole 22 will be increased to cause a greater amount of air to be drawn into the cigarette on each inhalation. If the smoker progressively follows this course, his smoking habits will possibly change sufficiently that smoking will become a troublesome habit rather than a pleasurable one. Also, it will cause the smoker to realize immediately, when smoking an imperforated cigarette, that the cigarette is strong and disagreeable to the respiratory system.

The device can be removed from a cigarette and used over and over again. It is small enough to fit into a pocket or a purse and can be formed of a relatively inexpensive material, such as plastic or the like.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the device broadly denoted by the numeral 50. Device 50 includes a cigarette perforating member 52 and a handle 54 secured to and extending outwardly from member 52. An enlargement 56 is on the outer end of handle 54 so that the latter can be held by the fingers of the hand.,

Member 52 has a substantially conical, outer surface except for an elongated, transversely arcuate recess 58 therein on one side thereof. The cross section of member 52 is shown in FIG. 2B and shows that recess 58 is concave. The inner end or tip 60 of member 52 is pointed to facilitate the insertion of the same into a cigarette. Recess 58 extends longitudinally of member 52 and terminates in proximity to but spaced from tip 60.

Recess 58 is disposed to present a substantially unob structed path for the flow of air into the hole 62 formed in the paper tube 64 of cigarette 66 when member 52 extends partially into the cigarette in the manner shown in FIG. 2A. Arrow 67 represents the path along which air travels as it flows into the cigarette past member 52.

Member 52 has .a number of transverse marks 68 on the outer surface thereof as shown in FIG. 2 to provide indicators so that the depth to which member 52 penetrates a cigarette can be gauged. Since the cross section of member 52 is conical, it increases in crosssection as it extends away from tip 60. Thus, the deeper the member penetrates a cigarette, the greater will be the size of hole 62.

Device 50 is used in substantially the same way as de vice 10 in that it is forced into a cigarette, preferably after the cigarette has been lit. It will penetrate the cigarette to a depth such that a portion of recess 58 extends into the cigarette and a portion remains externally thereof as shown in FIG. 2A. Segments or shreds 69 of the paper of the cigarette will be forced inwardly as shown in FIG. 2A when member 52 is forced into the cigarette. However, these shreds will not impede the airflow because of the presence of recess 58. In this way, device 50 can be used to hold a cigarette while the latter is being smoked and also assures that air will be directed into the cigarette at all times without encountering any obstructions such as the aforesaid paper shreds 69.

A third embodiment of the cigarette perforating device of this invention is shown in FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B and is denoted by the numeral 70. Device 70 has a cigarette perforating member 72 secured to a ring 74 which can be worn on a finger. Thus, a cigarette impaled on member 72 can be held while being smoked as ring 74 remains on the finger.

Member 72 includes a pair of projections 76 which extend in opposed directions relative to each other as shown in FIG. 3A. Projections 76 are secured to a base 78 which is pivotally mounted by a pin 80 on a pair of spaced ears 81 secured to the upper flat surface 82 of a boss 84 rigid to ring 74. Thus, projections 76 can move from retracted, first positions thereof at which they extend along and adjacent to surface 82 to second, operative positions (FIG. 3B) in which they project from surface 82. In their operative positions, the projections are disposed to form a pair of relatively large holes 86 and 88 in the paper tube 89 of a cigarette 90 when the projections are forced into the cigarette. Also, the cigarette, by being impaled on the projections, can be supported thereby. Thus, the smoker need not actually handle the cigarette once it is impaled on projections 76 other than to remove it from the projections to discard the same. The effective transverse dimension of each projection 76 increases as the projection extends away from its outer tip.

In use, device 70 is worn on a finger, normally with projections 76 in their retracted positions, as shown in FIG. 3. When it is desired to perforate and hold a cigarette, projections 76 are manually pivoted into their operative positions and a cigarette is forced onto the pro jections to a predetermined depth. Projections'76 may be provided with index marks 96 thereon to provide indicators to gauge the depth to which they penetrate a cigarette. As they enter a cigarette, projections 76 force segments or shreds :of the cigarette paper inwardly and cooperate'with flat surface 82 to present respective recesses 98 and 100 which provide substantially unobstructed paths for the flow of air into the cigarette through the holes 86 and 88, as noted by the arrows shown in FIG. 3B. The configurations of projections 76 are such 50 that they form progressively larger holes as the projections are forced further into a cigarette.

Another embodiment of the device of this invention is shown in FIG. 4 and is denoted by the numeral 110. It includes a cigarette perforating member 112 mounted on one end of a handle 1 14 having an enlargement 116 which can be held by the fingers, whereby device 110 can serve as a cigarette holder when member 112 penetrates a cigarette.

Member 112 has a plurality of interconnected, wedge-shaped sections 118, 120 and 122 arranged in end-to-end relationship, the sections increasing in size as handle 1 14 is approached. Member 112 is of flat material so that each side of a section is flat and coplanar with corresponding sides of the other sections.

Sections 118 and 120 have respective shoulders 124 and 126 which cooperate with the inclined edges of adjacent sections 120 and 122, respectively, to define respective recesses, either of which can present a substantially unobstructed airflow passage into a cigarette when member 112 penetrates the same to a corresponding depth. For purposes of illustration, member 112 (FIG. 4) has pierced the paper tube 123 of cigarette 125 to form a hole 121 therein, the member penetrating the cigarette to a depth sufficient to position shoulder 126 within the cigarette inwardly of hole 121. Any paper shred near shoulder 126 will be held away from the wedge-shaped recess between the shoulder and the adjacent inclined edge of section 122. Thus, this recess will be substantially unobstructed to permit air to pass freely into the cigarette through hole 121. Arrow 127 represents the path of the air through the recess.

A further embodiment of the device is shown in FIG. 5 and is denoted by the numeral 130. It has a pair of perforating members 132 and 134 secured to a handle 136. Members 132 and 134 are adapted to form a pair of holes 141 and 143 in the paper tube 148 of a cigarette 150. The holes can be formed widthwise of the cigarette, as shown in FIG. 5, or lengthwise thereof, whichever is preferred.

Each of the members 132 and 134 has a pair of extensions 138 and 140 which are convergent toward each other and form a sharp tip 142. The outer end of each extension 138 is free and unsupported, the only support being due to its connection with the respective extension 140. The convergence of each pair of extensions 138 and 140 defines a respective V-shaped recess 144 which, when the device penetrates cigarette 150, presents a substantially unobstructed airflow passage into a cigarette as the device is used to hold the same. Arrows 151 denote the paths of travel of air into the cigarette through such recesses. Each pair of extensions is angled relative to the other so that, as the device penetrates a cigarette to greater depths, the size of the holes formed in the paper tube of the cigarette will become progressively greater. The two tips 142 simultaneously form respective holes in the cigarette paper. Index marks 146 on extensions 138 define indicators to gauge the depth to which the device 130 penetrates a cigarette. Device 130 is used in substantially the same manner as the other embodiment of the devices mentioned above.

An alternate form of device 130, denoted by the numeral 130A, is shown in FIG. 5A wherein a cigarette perforating member 132A has a pair of extensions 138A and 140A which are convergent to and are connected at a tip 142A. One end of extension 140A is rigidly secured to a handle 136A, the latter having a numher of spaced, aligned pins 137 projecting laterally therefrom and aligned with the connection of extension 140A to handle 136A. Extension 138A is formed from a material which renders it yieldable and resilient. Thus, within the small range of angles formed between extensions 138A and 140A, extension 138A will normally be biased away from extension 140A.

By placing the free end of extension 138A on one side of a respective pin 137, the angle between the extensions can be selected. In this way, the transverse width of members 132A and 138A can be increased or decreased. As shown in FIG. 5A, extension 138A is in the position closest to extension 140A.

The angle between the'extensions defines a substantially V-shaped recess 144A which presents an airflow passage into a cigarette when member 132A penetrates the same. An arrow 151A represents the path of travel of air into the cigarette. To increase the size of the recess and the hole formed by member 132A, extension 138A is moved off one pin 137 and moved into engagement with another such pin. Device A is used in substantially the same manner as device 130. It can be provided with index marks 146A on either or both of the extensions to indicate the depth to which it penetrates a cigarette when in use.

The present invention provides a number of embodiments of a device for penetrating a cigarette, any one of which embodiments is simple and rugged in construction, is lightweight, and can be formed from inexpensive material, such as plastic or the like. It can be easily stored in a pocket or a purse and can be packed for use in an inexpensive manner. Each embodiment is constructed to permit variations in the size of a hole formed in a cigarette so that a hole of greater or lesser area can be formed according to the amount of air which is to be drawn into the cigarette each time the smoker draws on the cigarette. Regardless of which embodiment is used, a cigarette will always have a substantially unobstructed airflow passage thereinto when the device is used to hold the cigarette as the latter is being smoked.

I claim:

1. A device for perforating a cigarette comprising:

a perforating member having a pair of relatively angularly disposed segments, coupled together to form a tip capable of piercing the paper wrapping of a cigarette, said segments being relatively convergent toward the tip so that said member progressively increases in transverse dimension as it extends away from the tip, each segment having a side margin, the space between the side margins of the segments defining a recess means providing an airflow path into a cigarette when the member extends into the same; and a handle on the member for holding the same as it extends into a cigarette, whereby the cigarette can be supported as the handle is held between the fingers.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said member has a second pair of segments secured to the outer ends of respective ones of the first pair of segments and being convergent toward and connected to each other to present a diamond-shaped configuration for the member, said handle being secured to the junction of the second pair of segments.

3. A device for perforating a cigarette comprising:

a perforating member having a tip capable of piercing the paper wrapping of a cigarette, said member progressively increasing in transverse dimension as it extends away from the tip and having recess means thereon for defining an airflow path into a cigarette 'when the member extends into the same; a ring having a flat surface; and means hingedly mounting the member on said flat surface of the ring for holding the member as it extends into a cigarette, whereby the cigarette can be supported as the ring is disposed on a finger.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said member comprises a pair of spaced projections movable together from respective first positions extending along said flat surface to respective second positions extending outwardly from said flat surface, each projection having a side margin which cooperates with said flat surface to define said recess means when the lastmentioned projection is in its second position.

5. A device for perforating a cigarette comprising:

a perforating member having a pair of extensions converging toward each other and being connected together to form a tip capable of piercing the paper wrapping of a cigarette, said member progressively increasing in transverse dimension as it extends away from the tip and having recess means thereon for defining an airflow path into a cigarette when the member extends into the same; and a handle for holding the member as it extends into a cigarette, only one of the extensions being rigid t .the handle, whereby thecigarette can be supported as the handle is held betweenthe fingers.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the outer end of the other extension is free and spaced from said one extension.

7. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said handle is provided with a number of spaced pins, the other extension being yieldable and normally biased away from said one extension, said other extension being engageable with any one of said pins to releasably hold the other extension in a fixed position relative to said one extension.

8. A device for perforating a cigarette comprising:

a perforating member having a tip capable of piercing the paper wrapping of a cigarette at the side thereof, said member having a conical outer surface progressively increasing in transverse dimension as it extends away from the tip and having recess means on one side thereof, the recess means extending longitudinally of the member and being open along one side thereof for defining an airflow path into a cigarette when the member extends into the same, the recess means increasing in size as it extends away from the tip, whereby the width of the path can be varied as a function of the depth to which the member is caused to penetrate the cigarette; and a handle on the member for holding the same as it extends into a cigarette, whereby the cigarette can be supported as the handle is held between the fingers.

9. A device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said recess means is transversely and longitudinally arcuate. 

1. A device for perforating a cigarette comprising: a perforating member having a pair of relatively angularly disposed segments, coupled together to form a tip capable of piercing the paper wrapping of a cigarette, said segments being relatively convergent toward the tip so that said member progressively increases in transverse dimension as it extends away from the tip, each segment having a side margin, the space between the side margins of the segments defining a recess means providing an airflow path into a cigarette when the member extends into the same; and a handle on the member for holding the same as it extends into a cigarette, whereby the cigarette can be supported as the handle is held between the fingers.
 2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said member has a second pair of segments secured to the outer ends of respective ones of the first pair of segments and being convergent toward and connected to each other to present a diamond-shaped configuration for the member, said handle being secured to the junction of the second pair of segments.
 3. A device for perforating a cigarette comprising: a perforating member having a tip capable of piercing the paper wrapping of a cigarette, said member progressively increasing in transverse dimension as it extends away from the tip and having recess means thereon for defining an airflow path into a cigarette when the member extends into the same; a ring having a flat surface; and means hingedly mounting the member on said flat surface of the ring for holding the member as it extends into a cigarette, whereby the cigarette can be supported as the ring is disposed on a finger.
 4. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said member comprises a pair of spaced projections movable together from respective first positions extending along said flat surface to respective second positions extending outwardly from said flat surface, each projection having a side margin which cooperates with said flat surface to define said recess means when the last-mentioned projection is in its second position.
 5. A device for perforating a cigarette comprising: a perforating member having a pair of extensions converging toward each other and being connected together to form a tip capable of piercing the paper wrapping of a cigarette, said member progressively increasing in transverse dimension as it extends away from the tip and having recess means thereon for defining an airflow path into a cigarette when the member extends into the same; and a handle for holding the member as it extends into a cigarette, only one of the extensions being rigid to the handle, whereby the cigarette can be supported as the handle is held between the fingers.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the outer end of the other extension is free and spaced from said one extension.
 7. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said handle is provided with a number of spaced pins, the other extension being yieldable and normally biased away from said one extension, said other extension being engageable with any one of said pins to releasably hold the other extension in a fixed position relative to said one extension.
 8. A device for perforating a cigarette comprising: a perforating member having a tip capable of piercing the paper wrapping of a cigarette at the side thereof, said member having a conical outer surface progressively increasing in transverse dimension as it extends away from the tip and having recess means on one side thereof, the recess means extending longiTudinally of the member and being open along one side thereof for defining an airflow path into a cigarette when the member extends into the same, the recess means increasing in size as it extends away from the tip, whereby the width of the path can be varied as a function of the depth to which the member is caused to penetrate the cigarette; and a handle on the member for holding the same as it extends into a cigarette, whereby the cigarette can be supported as the handle is held between the fingers.
 9. A device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said recess means is transversely and longitudinally arcuate. 